Valve



May l. 1928.

C. H. GRASSER ET AL VALVE Filed May 4, 1927 2 Smets-Sheet l Illllllll M y i, 1928.'

. ,668,453 c. H. GRAEssER ET Ax.

VALVE Filed May 4, 1927 2 sheets-shew 2 I 532462 ,Jagd

' @ly/@244m @wha-xy Patented May 1, 1928 UNITED STATES 1,668,453 PAT-ENT ,o1-Flea CARL H. GRAESSER, OF BRIDGEPORT, AND ERNEST B. CROCKER, OF STRATFORD, CON'- NECTICUT, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CONSOLIDATED ASHCROFT HANCOCK COMIPANY, OF NEW-YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

VALVE.

Application tiled May 4, 1927. Serial No. 188,721.

This invention pertains to safety valves such as are used on steam boilers, oil stills and other containers for fluid under pressure, the present construction constituting an 5 improvement upon that disclosed in the patent to Blanchard and Crocker No. 1,143,027 ydated June 15, 1915. The patent just re- 'ferred to describes some of the things which tend to throw the seat ot an ordinary valve 1Q out of true and discloses an improved construction designed to prevent such undesirable occurrence. At pressures and temperatures such 'as were commonly met with in practice at the time of issue of said patent, the patented construction was all that could be desired and the patented features have probably contributed very largely to the commerv cial success of a well-known make of valve.

However, recent developments in steam engineering practice, as well as new discoveries in the petroleum and other chemical indus-y tries, demand fluid pressures and temperatures not previously regarded as desirable or practical. Such high pressures require extremely heavy pipes and fittings while the high tempe-ratures encountered have a very the location of the seat bushing in the casing.v

As ordinarily constructed a safety valve comprises a base orattaching flange of large diameter having openings for the reception of studs or bolts by ffrneans of which it 1s attached to the wall of the pressure receptacle. T he valve structure usually comprises a relatively slender stem rising from its flange and carrying the body of the casing in which the valve proper and-its seat are located. In the patented Iconstruction the seat bushing is secured to the valve casing just at the junction of the stem portion of thevcasing with the body portion, and under ordinary conditions the bushing is26 well adapted to compensate and correct minor distortions of the easing. However, the point of attachment of the bushing to the casing as disclosed in the patent is not the best, for .immediately below said point of attachment the body portion of the casing is unsymmetrical, comprising thick and thin sections which `do not move to the same extent when subjected to heat and pressure, thus to somo `degree distorting the 'casing and causing the bushing to tilt as a whole. In the ordinary valve this distortion is minute and is readily compensated for by the bushing, but in the large and heavy valves employedpfor modern high pressure work and at the high temperatures encountered, the distortion of the unsymmetrical valvebody becomes pronounced so that the compensating power of the bushing is sometimes exceeded.

To avoid overtaxing lthe capacity of the bushing when the valve is subjected to ex- Y tremely high'temperatures and pressures or is of unusually largel capacity we have so .enlarged the diameter of the stem ofi the valve casingas to provide a chamber therein capable of receiving the entire seat bushing or at least the major portion thereof, thus lowering the valve seat to a point closely adjacent to the junction of the stem with the body of the casing (which has asa secondary advantage the lowering of the outlet connection thus giving the weight of the outlet pipe less leverage'to deflect the valve casing and at the same time substantially decreasing the vertical dimensions of the entire valve) and we attach the bushing to lthe casing at a point closely adjacent to the flange and preferably within the thickness of the latter. Since at this point the casin is substantially symmetrical, the attaching flange usually constituting a complete annulus of heavy uniform section, there is sel dom any appreciable distortion at this part of the casing, and when .the bushing is attached at this point we find that it supports the valve seat in true position even when the casing issubjected to the extreme pressure and temperature conditions met with in modern practice.

While no difficulty has ever been experienced, so far as we are aware, with leakage of steam past the screw-threaded connection between the seat bushing and cassame outside dimensions and delivery caing ofthe patented construction, we prefer in our new arrangement, although not necessarily bound to do so, as will hereinafter appear, so as to associate the seat bushing with the casing as to relieve the screw-threaded connection of the `full steam pressure, thus eectively ensuring against leakage or the remote possibility of stripping the threads under destructive pressures.

n the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed we prefer to form the valve seat surface directly upon the seat bushing rather than'on an independent ring as is disclosed in the patented construction, since the elimination of this ring simplifies and cheapens the device and is made wholly practical by the employment of a suitable material in makin thebu'shing. However,

A, while this simpli ed construction just described is preferred, it is not essential to the broader aspects of theinvention.

The novel construction `herein described has been found very advantageous in the production of a standardized line of valves all having the saine or substantially t-he pacities but adapted for use with pressures of widely diierent ranges. Thus for eX- ample one valve of a set may be adjustable to pressures from zero to 200- pounds, the next valvefor pressures ranging from \20O to 400 pounds, the next from pressuresranging between 400 and 900, and the next-between pressures ranging froin 900 to 1500, etc. With the herein described arrangement it is simply necessary to vary the bore Yin the valve seat bushinor in inverse ratio to the steam or other fluid pressure, the

chamber in the steam of the walve casingv bushing havin a bore of the largest size. It is thus possible, by making he bushinfs of a uniform outside diameter, to ma e' being of sufficient diameter lo receive a them interchangeable with any' valve casing, so that' but a single sized casing is necessary to care for all pressures andany cas# mg may be converted for use with a selected new pressure range merely by changits valve seat bushing.

in n some instances, particularly for use upon/,oil stills, valve usersV prefer forgings instead of castings, and we findr that the arrangement herein disclosedlends itself to .this method yof production more readily safety valve of preferred forni;

modified arrangement; and

than does the patented constructionby reason of the modified shape of the parts.

In the accompanying drawings we have disclosed by way of exampleertain desir--l lable embodiments of thej'invention and in' 4,the drawings: l

Fig. -1 -is a vertical section throughy a Fig. 2`is a vertical section illustrating a 3 is a diagrammatic v iewillustrating the application of the present invention to a standardized line of valves.

@Referring to Fig. 1, the numeral 1 designates the body of the valve casing. The body of the casing has a chamber 2 therein and is supported upon a stem 3 having an attaching flange 4 at its lower end. The stem is furnished with an inlet bore or passage 5 leading from the lower e-nd of the flange lupwardly into the chamber 2, the latter having an outlet 6, here shown as internally screw threaded for the reception of a pipe connection. A valve 7 of any usual construct-ion is ranged within the chamber 2 and is normally held against its seat by va spring 8. Since the specific construction and arrangement of the valve and its spring, together with the intermediate y connections, form no part of the present invention further description thereof is unnecessary herein` The inner surface of the bore 5 in the casing is screw'threaded at 9, preferablyat a point within the thickness of the attaching flange 4. Below this threaded portionthe :bore 5 is enlarged, as indicated at 10, to provide a`rabbet or annular recess having a circumferential Wall- 11. Preferably the lower surface of the flange 4 is provided with a downwardly directed annular rib or flange 12 concentric with the bore 5. A seat bushing 13 is disposed within the chamber or bore 5 in the casing and an annular valve seat 14 is 'preferably formed directly upon the upper end of this bushing 13, although so far asthe broader aspects of the invention are concerned, it is immaterial whether this valve seat be formed directly upon the bushing itself-or upon a rino' or other suitable member carried by thecbushing.

Preferablythe `outer 'surface of the bushing, at` its upper end, is screw threaded for the reception o f the blow down ring 16 tudinal stress imposed b the valve spring without substantial axia compression. At l the point 20 the exterici` surface of the bushingy or sleeve 13 is screw threaded for engagement with the screw threads at 9 upon the bushin' is furnished with a radial flange 21 adapte to seat within the'rabbet 10 and 't0 engage the surface 11 with a substanf the inner surface of the casing. Preferably I snugly within but projects slightly below the annular rib or flange 12 upon the lower surface of the flange 4. As thus arranged `the flange 22 is clamped firmly against the under surface of the flange 4 by the action 0 of the bolts or rivets which secure thevflange 25 each other.

4 tothe pressure receptacle, and this action is assisted by the steam pressure, upon thelower end of the bushing thus substantially preventing leakage of steam past the, bushwing and relieving the screw threads so that they are not called upon to withstand any substantial stress.

All of that portion of the bushing which is above the screw threads 2() is free from 20 contact with the casing, and at this part of the bushing its outer surface is provided with one or more outstanding circumferential ribs 24 and with one or more grooves 23, the groovesj'and ribs alternating with These ribs and grooves provide a convenient means of imparting to the bushing those desirable characteristics- \which are clearly pointed out inthe above noted patent to Blanchard and Crocker,

since. with this arrangement the Ebushing comprises one or more relatively weak -or yielding sections and one or more reinforced and relatively stiff and un-yielding sections so that ordinary distortions in the casing are absorbed by the bushing and not transmitted 'to the'valve seat. While the above mode of producing these alternating weakened and reinforced sections is desirable andrelatively simple we contemplate that similar results might possibly be obtained in other ways and we do not wish in all cases to limit our present invention to this specific mode of accomplishing the re sult, it being sufficient that the bushing be of M such character that ordinary distortions of the casing will not be transmitted to the valve seat through the bushing.

By connecting the bushing to the casing at a point very closetov theV attaching flange m 4 and preferably within the thickness of the latter, it is possible for the bushing, provided with the compensating features described, to take care of all such slight disturbing forces as may be transmitted through its connection tothe casing', and

thus'tomaintain the valve seat true under the most extreme conditions of temperature and pressure.

In the modified arrangement shown in s@ Fig. 2 the valve casing body la is provided with the chamber 2 for the reception of the valve and with a hollow stem `3 connecting it to the attaching flange 4a. The 'stein 3 is provided with abore or chamber 5a butA this chamber is preferably reduced in diameter where it enters the thickness "of the l -valve surface 14a for engagement with the usual valve 7. The bushing 13a is provided with the external ribs 24a and grooves 23a as fully described in the patent to Blanchard and Crocker above referred to, such ribs and grooves having the functions fully described in said patent. In this modified arrangement it is possible to remove the seat bushing upwardly through the valve casing without removing the latter from the fluid container butin this instance they screw threads connecting the bushing and casing must bear the entire stress of the fluid pressure acting upon the lower end of the bush- 1n In both of the arrangements described the bushing is disposed almost wholly within the lower Jpart of the casing, that is to say within the neck and attaching flange so that the valve seatv surface is substantially in the plane Aof the junction of the neck portion of the casing with the "body portion of the latter. The seat surface of the bushing is, in both of the instances described, quite low as compared with the arrangement shownin the patented construction, thus makingvit possible to reducethc vertical dimensions of the valve structure, which is desirable, and at the same time reducing the vertical dis tance between the outlet of the valve casing and the attaching flange. Y

As .theV outlet of the casing is obliged to support the weight of the delivery pipe and since such weight may be quite considerable it is advantageous to have the point of connection of the pipe as close to .the plane of the attaching flange as possible in order to ireduce the moment arm through which the weight of the pipe acts, thereby reducing the tendency to bend or deflect the valve casing.

In the arrangement herein disclosed the outlet pipe is disposed very close to the at tachingfiange and thus in this way distor tions lof `the casing are minimized. 'llic several features of construction above enumerated thus all contribute towards maintenance of the valve seat trues and in proper position to cooperate with the valve In Fig. 3 we have illustrated a set of standardized valves indicated at V1, VV3 and V4l each valvel being designed to discharge the saine quantity of pressure fluid per unit of time. These valves are all of substantially identical external shape and dimensions and each valve -of the series is so.k

B in any one of the valve casings. lVhile i ae these bushings are of the same external diameter they are furnished respectively with internal hores 1, b2, b3, b4, etc. of different diameters; for example, as here shown the bore b1 of the bushing 2G is of the smallest diameter and is adapted to discharge steam or other Huid under high pressure, for example, through a range of pressures from 900 to 1500 pounds to the square inch. The here 722 in the bushing 27 is of somewhat larger diameter than the bore b1 just described and may, for example, be adapted to discharge pressure fluid through a pressure range varying from 400 to 90() pounds; likewise the bores b3 and are adapted to deliver steam or other pressure fluid under pressures `extending through ranges of from 200 to 400 pounds and from Zero to Q00 pounds respectively. Since the several bushings Q6, Q7, etc. are interchangeable and may be installed in any one of the casings, it is evident that any casing of the series may be adapted to handle pressure fluid of a given range without necessitating any change in the size or structural features of the easing.

Since the arrangement in Figs. l and 2 compensates very completely for any distor- "tions of the casings due to temperature or pressure changes, it is evident that this arrangement is particularly Well adapted for use in such a series of standardized valves, since there is no danger in adapting any given valve casing to handle pressure Huid of a given range, by installing therein the proper valve seat bushing, that the seat bushings will fail to maintain a. true seat surface under any of the conditions to Which it may be subjected in use.

While four such standard valves have been indicated as comprising a set, it is of course to be understood that this is merely illustrative and that such a set of valves may comprise any number whatsoever within the range of practical utility.

lVhile we have shown our invention em bodied in a specific structural arrangement, we wish it to be understood that we are not to be limited in this respect, but that changes in dimensions, relativev arrangement of parts and materials may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim: l

1. A valve of the class described comprising a casing provided with an attaching flange, the casing having a bore or chamber'coaxial with saidY flange, a valve seat bushing disposed within said chamber, one

end of the bushing carrying a valve seat and the opposite end of the bushing engaging the casing at a point substantially in the plane of said flange, the` bushing comprising an annular column adapted to withstand longitudinal compressive stresses and having alternate yielding and unyielding sections adapted to prevent transmission of distortions of the valve body to the valve seat.

2. A valve of the class described comprising a casing and a valve therein, said casing having an attaching member at its hase, a valve seat bushing having a valve seat at its upper end, said bushing engaging the casing at the plane of said attaching member, the upper portion of the bushing being spaced from the casing Wall, said bushing being substantially unyielding to valve pressure and having alternating circumferential external ribs and grooves.

3. A valve of the class described coinprising a casing provided with an attaching flange, the casing having a chamber concentric \vith said flange, a valve seat bushing disposed within said chamber, one end of the bushing carrying a valve seat and the opposite end of the bushing having screw threaded engagement With the casing substantially in the plane of the attaching flange, the bushing having an axial bore and having a circumferential rib and groove on its outer surface intermediate the valve seat and its point of attachment to the easing, said rib being spaced fromthe Wall of the casing.

4. A valve of the class described comprising a easing having an inlet bore provided with an annular rabbet adjacent to its inlet end, a valve seat bushing disposed within said here, said bushing having a flange engaging said rabbet, the bushing having a valve seat at its inner end, the bushing also having a substantially smooth bore and a circumferential rib upon its outer surface intermediate its ends, said rib being spaced from the Wall of the casing.

5. AA valve of the class described cornprising a` easing having an inlet' bore and a` valve seat bushing disposed Within said bore, said bushing having a flange engaging an under surface of' the casing whereby clamping pressure applied to the casing for attaching it to a Huid container will press said flange into tight'eontact With the casing, the bushing carrying a valve seat at its inner end, said bushing having an axial bore and alternating ribs and grooves upon its outer surface intermediate the valve seat Aand said fiange. j

6. A valve of the class described comprising a casing having an inlet bore provided With an annular rabbet adjacent to its inlet end, a valve seat bushing disposed Within said bore, Said bushing having a iange engaging said rabbet, screw threads a chamber therein, a seat bushing disposed in said chamber, said bushing having a valve seat at its upper end, said seat being adjacent to the junction of the body and stem of the casing, attaching means at the lower end of the stem and means connecting the` bushing to the casing substantially in the plane of the attaching means, said bushing being substantially unyielding to longitudinal pressurev and comprising relatively yielding and unyielding .or reinforced sections adapted to revent distortions of the valve body from eing transmitted tothe Valve seat. j t

8. A valve of the class described comprising a casing having' a hollow body and an attaching flange, the casing having an inlet bore extending from the lower side of the flange to the interior'of the body, a valve seat bushing housed within said inlet bore, said bushing havinga substantially smooth axial passage and having circumferential portions of relatively.' greater and smaller cross sectional area, said bushing having a valve seat at one end adjacent to the junction of the inlet bore with the hol-v lw in the body of the casing, the bushing also having a flange engaging a rabbet in the wall of the inlet bore and having a second flange engaging the under surface of theA attaching flange of the casing.

9. A standard safety valve adapted to deliver a uniform quantity of fluid per hour independent ofthe pressure range of such fluid, said valve comprising a casing having inlet and outlet bores of fixed and predeterV` mined size, an attaching flange at the base of the casing, interchangeable valve seat bushings having substantially smooth axial bores of dierent diameters respectively, each bushing having an annular valve seat at its upper end, each bushing having circumferential portions of relatively greater and smaller-cross sectional area, the lower ends of the several'bushings being of substantially the same outside diameter, and complemental enga ing elements in the plane .of the attaching ange of the casing and upon each bushing, respectively,-for interchangeably securing any selected bushing `within the inlet bore of the casing with the va'lve seat of the bushing spaced from the walls ofthe casing.

Signed by us at Bridgeport, Connecticut, this '5th day of April,.l927.

CARL H. GRAESSER. t ERNEST B. CRQCKER. 

